Imagine spending a day on snow covered slopes then dining under palms on a sunny beach. Sip tea in a Moroccan style tea room, and watch the sunset from a rural mountain village. With an extensive history and an intense mix of cultures, you can do all this and more in Granada, Spain.

Once the independent Emirate of Granada ruled by the Nasridkings, this modern city of contrasts has a culture unique in Spain. Shoppers will discover refined shops near the Cathedral and the Plaza de Bib Rambla, but for a real taste of Granada, head north to the historic Albaicín.

Walking up the CaldereríaNueva towards San Gregorio, you’ll be transported to another place. Here, it’s little Morocco with tea rooms and souvenir shops selling pottery, linens, jewelry, and other treasures at reasonable prices. Further into the Albaicín to the Plaza de San Nicolás, you’ll encounter exquisite views of the neighborhood and the Alhambra on the hill. White homes crowd along the tiny cobbled streets below. It’s a quiet and easy walk down to the Carrera de Darro along the river and back to the center of town.





Sprawling across the hill above the historic Albaicín, the Alhambra cannot be missed. Plan at least a half day here beginning at the Palacio Real with its stunning walls and ceilings. The beauty and detail will take your breath away.

After that, relax a bit and visit other parts of the palace city. The towers of the Alcazaba provide great views of Granada. The Palace of Charles V houses the Museum of Bellas Artes. Once you exit this area, you can wander through the Generalifeand gardens for hours. There are bathrooms and vending machines, but the restaurant is overpriced. Pack snacks or have a picnic in the gardens.

Forty-five minutes from Granada through the winding roads of the Alpujarras, liesa series of simple white villages nestled among the mountain peaks. These quiet villages were the last Moorish foothold evidenced now in the sugar cube buildings, intricate irrigation channels and beautifully woven rugs.

Of the many villages, the location of Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileirastrung just below the snow line make these quite special. It is very easy to park at one and walk to the others along well marked hiking paths. Go to Capileira for the restaurants but Pampaneira has the best shopping and a small chocolate factory.

Even in the summer, there is enough snow in the Sierra Nevada that skiing is possible for the most adventurous tourists. Go in the winter for great skiing just 30 minutes from Granada in the Sierra Nevada’s Pradollano, a snow village with lifts taking off from within the village itself taking you over apartment tops to the slopes above. Everything you need is contained here,and parking is ample for those lodging elsewhere.

Snow to sand is possible within an hour, or just spendthe entire day at the beach. Even the dreariest days in Granada are sunny and hot on the coast. Almuñecar’s beaches provide beauty and relaxation within a 30-minute drive fromGranada. For a quiet beach, go to the local’s beach, the Playa de Cabria east of Almuñecarand lunch at Casa de San Antonio. For a beach lined with restaurants and quaint shopping areas, go to La Herradura. This beautiful cove has an old lighthouse on one end and a taking off point for paragliders.

This is the “tapa,” just a taste of the variety of amazing things you can see and do in and around Granada. The perfect antidote to a cold winter, you can easily fill a week and still not see all it has to offer.

* Tiffany Stahlbaum previously lived in the Tri-Border but recently PCS’d to Spain. For more details on Granada and other places she’s traveled, visit www.livingingk.blogspot.com.



GRANADA INFORMATION

Flights
Iberia Air:
flies to Granada from Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Brussels.

Ryan Air:
flies to Malaga from Maastricht; drive along the stunning coastline 1.5 hours to Granada.

More Info

Alhambra Tickets:
www.servicaixa.com. Type in “Alhambra” in the search box. I recommend the General Daytime visit. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your entrance time to allow for parking and the printing of your tickets. Ticket notes a specific entrance time to the Palacio Real. You must enter at this time.

Sierra Nevadas:
www.go-sierra-nevada.com/en/sierra_nevada/pradollano.html




PHOTO CUTLINES

1. View of Alhambra’s Patio de los Arrayanes.
2. The ceiling of Alhambra’s Hall of the Two Sisters (Sala de dos Hermanas).
3. Along the Rio Darro, you’ll find beautiful buildings, artsy shops,
and a beautiful view of the Alcazaba above.
4. The Alhambra is visible from many of the narrow streets in the Albaicin.
5. Almuñecar’s Playa de Cabria.
7. The church and houses of Bubión.
9. The best local souvenirs at the best prices are found in Pampimiera.

Published March 1, 2010